The ordinary customer has probably never ever heard of fluid bed dryers. However, in the field of bulk processing, fluidized bed dryers have established themselves as trustworthy and multifunctional processors capable of performing a wide range of vital duties. In this blog, you will learn about the applications of fluidized bed dryers.
What is a Fluid Bed Dryer?
A fluidized bed dryer is a type of industrial equipment that is commonly used to decrease the moisture content of food, pharmaceutical, and chemical powders and granules. The machine is well-known for reducing the drying time of medicinal compounds larger than 50 microns, which are used in tablets and capsules.
The dryer employs fluidization to change the material from a static, solid-like state to a dynamic fluid-like one. A fluidized bed dryer consists of a stainless steel container with a removable perforated bottom known as the bowl. The constant air flow lifts and suspends the moist solids. The resulting heat transfer vaporizes the moisture, preparing the solid particles for further processing.
How Does a Fluid Bed Dryer Work?
Fluid bed dryers operate on the fluidization concept, which involves converting a substance from a static solid to a dynamic fluid. In this technique, hot gas or air is supplied into the material-holding region via a perforated distribution plate. This heated gas circulates through the gaps between solid particles. As the gas or air’s velocity rises, so do the upward forces on the particles, which eventually equalize the gravitational forces below.
This results in fluidization, with the particles floating in what looks to be a boiling bed of liquid. What was formerly solid can now flow like water. Each particle is in direct touch with and surrounded by the hot gas or air, resulting in an efficient and uniform drying process.
Applications of Fluidized Bed Dryers
Additionally, fluidized bed dryers are very common as drying devices in sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dyes, food, dairy products, and metallurgy.
Fluid bed dryers are perhaps most widely used in the pharmaceutical business. The powder processing sector has long used this automated method to replace traditional drying trays.
Spray granulation utilizes fluidized bed dryers to convert a water-containing solution, paste, suspension, or melt into granule form with no risk of product contamination or dust pollution.
Because fine powders are difficult to transport due to their loose packing, dryers also aid in agglomeration, which is the process of gathering material particles into cohesive units such as pellets or granules. This approach simplifies transportation and delivery operations.
Fluidized Bed Dryers are used to coat powder layers onto mini-tablets and capsules utilizing a tangential rotogranulator. Patients can easily take polymer-coated pills and capsules. A fluid bed dryer also dries pellets used for OSD stacking. The applied layers are much thicker, necessitating fine control over the powder density.
The Importance of Fluid Bed Dryer in the Pharmaceutical Sector
While fluidized bed drying may be utilized in different sectors, pharmaceuticals are perhaps its most important use. Using a fluid bed drier, the moisture content of pharmaceutical granules and powder may be consistently reduced. Fluid bed drying technology has replaced the conventional technique of drying items in trays. This results in faster drying durations and more consistent drying conditions for a homogenous end product.
Conclusion
If you want to learn more or have any more queries, Ridhi Pharma has the answers. Our staff is ready to assist you in designing a fluid bed dryer that fulfills all of your specifications. You can visit our website to explore our other products like Fluid Bed Processors. We’ll work with you to create a personalized solution that meets your exact requirements.